Dear Editor,

Some evenings remind us just how powerful a community can be when people come together for a cause greater than themselves.

On Saturday night, August 1, 2026, that spirit was on full display at JJ’s Bar and Grill in Hinesville as friends, families, businesses, and supporters gathered for Fight for a Cure, an event dedicated to raising funds for the American Cancer Society and supporting local Relay For Life efforts. The evening was filled with excitement, generosity, and hope as the community united to help create more birthdays for cancer survivors and to support lifesaving cancer research.

As someone who has had the privilege of working alongside many dedicated volunteers over the years, I left the event with a heart full of gratitude.

I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Mark “The People’s Champ” Moseley and Jay “The Barber” Boutwell for their vision, leadership, and countless hours of work in organizing and hosting this incredible event. Their passion for helping others was evident in every detail of the evening. From welcoming guests to creating an atmosphere of fellowship and fun, they demonstrated what it truly means to serve your community.

Cancer has touched nearly every family in one way or another. Whether it is a parent, spouse, child, friend, coworker, or neighbor, most of us know someone who has faced this difficult disease. Events like Fight for a Cure remind us that no one has to face that journey alone.

The community’s response was overwhelming. People came ready to donate, participate, encourage survivors, remember loved ones, and stand together in the fight against cancer. Every contribution, whether large or small, represents hope for better treatments, more research, and ultimately, a world with fewer cancer diagnoses and more survivors celebrating another birthday.

The generosity shown by our community was truly inspiring. When neighbors come together to support cancer survivors and invest in cancer research, we are doing more than raising money. We are giving families hope! Every dollar raised helps move us closer to creating more birthdays.

The event also highlighted the strength of partnerships within Liberty County. Local businesses, volunteers, entertainers, sponsors, and community members all played an important role in making the evening a success. Their willingness to give their time, talents, and resources reflects the caring spirit that makes our community such a special place to call home.

Every birthday is worth celebrating. When we say we are fighting for another birthday, we are talking about giving someone the opportunity to watch another grandchild grow up, celebrate another anniversary, or simply enjoy another day with the people they love. That is something worth fighting for.

Special thanks also go to everyone who attended the event, volunteered behind the scenes, donated, sponsored activities, or simply shared words of encouragement throughout the evening. Your support proves that when Liberty County comes together, amazing things happen.

The fight against cancer continues, but thanks to community leaders like Mark Mossley and Jay the Barber, and the many generous supporters who answered the call, we are one step closer to a future filled with more hope, more survivors, and many more birthdays.

Together, we continue the fight. Together, we celebrate life. Together, we help make another birthday possible.

Dr. Karen Bell, Chair, Liberty County Relay for Life